West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-09-23
HOLIDAYS IN JAPAN.
FIVE NATIONAL FESTIVAL DAYS, IN
GLIDING NEW YEARS.
Tho Festival of the Dolls"-Family
Banquet-A "Feast of the Banners" for
the Boys-Feasts of the Lanterns" and
"Chrysanthemums."

'ChrySantnemumS.
The japanese have many festive days,
and. unlike most heathen nations, are ex-
ceodingly devoted to the children, sparing
neither time, labor nor expense for their
amusement. Even their system OF edu-
cation is made a source of pleasure, and
corporal punishment is a thing unknown
in the family. Masquerades, domestic
comedies, picnics and many feast days are
enacted and observed for the benefit OF tho
little folks: but have observed that 1T is
@ shrcwd method of enjoyment for the
elders also.
There are five national festival days, in
clulling New Years, which, under the old
laws, was not begun with ours, but on the
0th day of February.
The second is called the ''Festival of the
Dolls" and is great day for the little
girls, during which the various specimens
of dollhood are conducted into the state
chamber of the house, which is beautifully
decorated with blooming peach boughs and
cvergreens. These favorite automatons
pre made to personify grand personages,
from the ancient mikado and his court to
the various families of The princes.
For days before this greatest of great
days to the daughters of tho house, the
shops are gay with splendidly dressed i'm
ages; but after the festival they disappear
and are seen no more till another year re-
news the demand for them. Every re-
spectacle family has number of dolls OF
various sizes, ranging from four inches to
foot and half in height. When
daughter is born to the household, pair
of dolls is purchased, with which she plays
until she becomes grown up girl. When
she marries these are taken to her huS-
bands home, and in turn given to her
children. In this way great number Is
accumulated, if many daughters are born
into the family.
FAMILY BANQUET.
Then comes family banquet, and after
ward the girls make offerings of saki (rice
beer and rice cakes to the effigies of the
emperor and empress, and spend the day
mimicking the entire round Of Japanese
life, as child, maiden, wife, mother and
grandmother. Other toys, representing
the table service, utensils Of the kitchen,
toilet sets and travelling apparatus, many
of these very elaborate and costly, are in
use on this day. This festival is cele-
brated on the I'd of May
On the 9th of July occurs CORE
spending feast for the boys. Previous to
this the shops are again gay with toys
suited for the ''Feast of the Banners"
These consist Of all the regalia and equip
ments of daimio's prince's) procession;
the contents of an arsenal-fags, stream
ers. banners, effigies Of heroes, warriors,
soldiers on foot, horsemen, genif OF
strength, valor, etc. Such toys are bought
for every son born into the family, hence
tie display is often very imposing and
brilliant The streets are gayly decorated
and planted with bamboo staffs, which are
ornamented and trimmed with every de-
vice of oddity. Gay banners are placed
at MI conspicuous points, blazoned with
national designs, heroic sentences and
family titles. Troops Of boys iii parti
colored clothes, wearing miniature swords
and sabers and each carrying flag,
throng the streets, while parents, priests
and police look on In admiration
LARGE PAPER FISH.
Outside of the door of each home
bamboo pole is erected, and hung by
string to the top OF the pole is large pa
per fish, representing a carp, which the
JaDunGSc tlpC VI oWhehCoo
and strength. Tho paper, being hollow,
Is easily filed by the breeze, and the huge
body flaps its tail and fins in q most natu-
raj manner.
On the 18th of September is held the
"Feast of the Lanterns, " which Is observed
in solemn pomp by professions to and
from the tombs at night, and always inn
presses the locker on as most tender
tribute to the dead Then follows the
Flower Day, or Feast OF the. Chrysan-
themums, occurring on the 9th of Novem-
Der, when flowers arc displayed in great
profusion and given away to every one rs
tokens of good will.
New Years Day is not altogether q
holiday The national idea Of justice is
shown by the law requiring all debts to
be adjusted at the beginning of the year.
Therefore, no one gives himself up to un-
restrained enjoyment on this day until his
accounts are satisfactorily arranged
Helen H. Thompson in The Cosmopolitan.